Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but students typically see meaningful gains—often 5-10 points on the 130-170 scale—within 4-8 weeks of focused preparation. The key is targeted practice on your weak areas combined with test-taking strategy refinement. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who use diagnostic assessments to pinpoint gaps and create a customized study plan that maximizes your improvement potential.

Pacing is one of the most learnable skills on the GRE—it's not just about speed, but knowing when to skip difficult questions strategically. Tutors teach you to recognize question types quickly, identify which problems are worth the time investment, and use elimination strategies efficiently. Regular timed practice tests combined with review of your pacing patterns help you develop an intuitive sense of timing without sacrificing accuracy.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, with 4-6 hours per week of focused study. A typical plan includes diagnostic testing to identify weak areas, targeted skill-building in those areas, full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks, and strategy refinement based on your performance patterns. Personalized tutoring accelerates this timeline by eliminating guesswork—tutors create a customized roadmap based on your baseline and goals, keeping you accountable and adjusting the plan as you progress.

Practice tests serve two critical purposes: they help you understand the actual test format and pacing, and they reveal patterns in your mistakes. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions is the best way to identify whether you're struggling with specific question types, running out of time, or making careless errors. Expert tutors use your practice test results to guide instruction, focusing on the areas that will have the biggest impact on your score.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unfamiliar with question formats—both of which are directly addressed through targeted tutoring and practice. Tutors help you build confidence by mastering concepts, practicing under realistic test conditions, and developing mental strategies for staying calm when you encounter a difficult question. The more you practice with expert guidance, the more automatic your problem-solving becomes, which naturally reduces anxiety on test day.

Look for tutors with strong math backgrounds, proven test prep experience, and familiarity with the GRE's specific question types and reasoning demands. Ideally, they should have achieved high scores themselves and have a track record of helping students improve. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GRE Quantitative and understand how to teach test strategy, not just math—they know the difference between solving a problem correctly and solving it efficiently under pressure.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current skill level, identify weak areas, and discuss your target score and timeline. The tutor will review your test-taking habits, ask about any specific challenges you've noticed, and outline a personalized study plan. This foundation ensures that all future sessions are strategically focused on maximizing your score improvement rather than reviewing material you've already mastered.